There is no time for what-ifs or what-could-have-beens for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Some 15 hours after a heartbreaking 79-77 loss to Illinois Friday night, the Rainbow Warriors were already preparing for their next foe yesterday afternoon.

"We can't feel sorry for ourselves, and nobody else is going to feel sorry for us," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "We have to take care of our own business, and that's a game against Alcorn State (tonight)."

Hawai'i will host the Braves today at 8:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The 'Bows practiced in old Klum Gym yesterday, although Nash said it was not a form of punishment. The UH women's basketball team was hosting a tournament in the Sheriff Center, and practice Gym 2 was being used for another school activity.

"This is my first time in here ... it's different," sophomore forward Bill Amis said. "The floor is slippery, but it's similar to Gym 2. You have to be ready to practice hard no matter where it is."

Ready or not, either Hawai'i or Alcorn State will get a much-needed victory. Both are 0-2.

The 'Bows have lost their two games by a total of three points. More agonizing, both losses came within the final five seconds.

"The one thing I like about this team is that we all bounce back," senior center Stephen Verwers said. "The first loss was tough, but we came back and fought hard against Illinois. Now we have to come back again and fight hard against Alcorn State."

The Braves are coming off two different types of losses. They lost their season opener at Southeastern Louisiana by 18 points, and then got crushed by 40 at Oklahoma on Monday.

"They are a quick, undersized team," Hawai'i assistant coach Eran Ganot said after reviewing video of Alcorn State. "They are quick at every position. We're bigger at every position, so there's going to be some give and take."

Because of Hawai'i's size advantage, Nash said he would like to see more production from his "big men" in the post.

Against Illinois, starting center Verwers and starting power forward Amis combined for five points and six rebounds. The back-ups — P.J. Owsley, Paul Campbell and Alex Veit — added six points and four rebounds.

"We can't be just a perimeter team," Nash said.

Amis added: "We need to rebound better. Offensive rebounds, especially. That's how we can score more points. Every time you get an offensive rebound, that's a chance for points in the paint, and that's what we need more of."

Alcorn State usually starts a lineup that ranges from 6 feet 2 to 6-8; Hawai'i will go with a lineup that has two 6-5 guards alongside 6-7 Bobby Nash, 6-9 Amis and 6-11 Verwers.

"Hopefully we can use our size to our advantage," Verwers said. "But we can't overlook anybody. I think (Alcorn State) will come out and play hard, so we have to be ready for anything."

The 'Bows will also be in a rush to leave town after the game, and they don't want to pack a loss in their luggage. Hawai'i is scheduled to depart Honolulu late tonight for a game at New Mexico on Wednesday.

"We gotta win this one," Amis said.

NOTES

Tonight is "Family Night," and families or groups can purchase upper level tickets for $8 each. A minimum of four tickets must be purchased to receive the $8 price. A maximum of eight tickets can be purchased.

Tonight's game can be viewed on Oceanic Pay-Per-View. Cost is $25 on O'ahu and $15 on the Neighbor Islands. For information visit www.oceanic.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.